the goan I network
PORVORIM
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) Secretary General Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas on Saturday exhorted the people of Nerul to take their faith of 450 years forward with the cooperation and collaboration of people of all other faiths and creed.
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas was delivering his homily during the Eucharistic Celebration to mark the closing ceremony of the 450-year Jubilee of Our Lady of Remedios Church at Nerul.
“We celebrate not only the 450 years of the walls of this church, but the faith which our forefathers have given us.”
“Let us in strive to take this faith ahead with cooperation and collaboration of not just our brethren of our faith, but encompassing all other faiths and creed,” Bishop Mascarenhas said.
Bishop Mascarenhas presided over the Holy Eucharistic celebration at 4 pm in Our Lady of Remedios Church and during the services passed the flame of faith of 450 years to the oldest generation.
He was later the chief guest for the cultural programme, which included musical performances by bands and noted musicians.
On the occasion, Bishop Mascarenhas felicitated priests, nuns, ex-parish priests of Nerul and other dignitaries. He also released the souvenir to mark the occasion.
Since the church was founded by the Franciscan missionaries in 1569, there have been 40 Franciscan rectors in charge of the church until 1766, followed by 45 Diocesan Parish Priests with the present priest Fr Bolmax Pereira being the 85th in succession since the founding of the church.
Legend has it that when the deadly smallpox plague struck the neighbouring villages, the statue of the patroness was taken in a solemn procession in all the wards of the entire village. The people of Nerul regardless of faith or belief prayed fervently to Our Lady and the fateful disease bypassed the village. Hence, the name Remedios, which means ‘Remedy’. During the year-long celebrations, the parish organised a number of events and programmes. They included the opening ceremony of the Jubilee year on April 24 with Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao administering the Sacrament of Confirmation, Vocation Sunday (September 16), a procession of Our Lady of Remedies through Nerul village (October 13), a Bible study course and a night vigil (December 15).
Other events included a Farmer’s Meet, an acupressure session, celebration of Earth Day by organizing a beach cleaning campaign, Nitoll Igorz “ Swachh Bharat campaign and a Family Day.
A dedicated prayer room was built and inaugurated on January 26 by Bishop Allwyn Barretto.
The Catechetical Day diocesan-level celebration was held in Nerul parish on February 2-3, which included the Holy Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Archbishop Ferrao.
According to the last census, Nerul has a population of 5,042, which comprises Hindus (74.95%), Christians (18.52%), Muslims (6.21%) and other religions. There are about 1,150 Catholics from
250 families.
